The Science of Nature最新文献

{"title":"Anatomical, histochemical, and developmental approaches reveal the long-term functioning of the floral nectary in Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae)","authors":"Juliana V. Izquierdo,&nbsp;Yve Canaveze,&nbsp;Silvia Rodrigues Machado,&nbsp;Felipe W. Amorim","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01909-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01909-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Tocoyena formosa</i> has a persistent floral nectary that continues producing nectar throughout flower and fruit development. This plant also presents an intriguing non-anthetic nectary derived from early-developing floral buds with premature abscised corolla. In this study, we characterize the structure, morphological changes, and functioning of <i>T. formosa</i> floral nectary at different developmental stages. We subdivided the nectary into four categories based on the floral and fruit development stage at which nectar production started: (i) non-anthetic nectary; (ii) anthetic nectary, which follows the regular floral development; (iii) pericarpial nectary, derived from pollinated flowers following fruit development; and (iv) post-anthetic nectary that results from non-pollinated flowers after anthesis. The nectary has a uniseriate epidermis with stomata, nectariferous parenchyma, and vascular bundles, with a predominating phloem at the periphery. The non-anthetic nectary presents immature tissues that release the exudate. The nectary progressively becomes more rigid as the flower and fruit develop. The main nectary changes during flower and fruit development comprised the thickening of the cuticle and epidermal cell walls, formation of cuticular epithelium, and an increase in the abundance of calcium oxalate crystals and phenolic cells near the vascular bundles. Projections of the outer periclinal walls toward the cuticle in the post-anthetic nectary suggest nectar reabsorption. The anatomical changes of the nectary allow it to function for an extended period throughout floral and fruit development. Hence, <i>T. formosa</i> nectary is a bivalent secretory structure that plays a crucial role in the reproductive and defensive interactions of this plant species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140673270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hydrocarbons in Formicidae: influence of chemical footprints on ant behavioral strategies","authors":"Poliana Galvão dos Santos,&nbsp;Elane Galvão dos Santos,&nbsp;Ingrid de Carvalho Guimarães,&nbsp;Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso,&nbsp;Sidnei Eduardo Lima-Junior,&nbsp;William Fernando Antonialli-Junior","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01908-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01908-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>When an insect walks, it leaves chemical cues that derive from the arolium, a tarsal structure. These cues may contain important information about other species that occur in their community and can then mediate interactions of competition, predation, and information about resources with ants from their own colony. The compounds of these cues are released into the substrate in the form of chemical footprints. There are still few species studied, and little is known about the behavior of ants regarding these signals and how they use them in their interactions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the behavioral strategy of different ant species when confronted with chemical footprints left by other ants, as well as identify their compounds and their relationship with the cuticular hydrocarbon profile. The experiments were performed using a Y-maze, where in one of the arms, there were chemical footprints of their own species or of other species, and the other Y arm was footprint-free. The chemical compounds of footprints and cuticle were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that foragers of all species detect and respond to the presence of chemical cues in the form of footprints left by other ants. Foragers of all species followed footprints of individuals of the same species both nestmates and non-nestmates; however, <i>Neoponera villosa</i> avoided the footprints of <i>Cephalotes borgmeieri</i>, and <i>C. borgmeieri</i> avoided the footprints of the other two species. The chemical compositions of the cuticle and footprints are related to each other and are specific to each species.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140609101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sexual dimorphism and topological variability in fingerprint ridge density in a north-west Indian population","authors":"Devi Das,&nbsp;Saumya Seal,&nbsp;Sreeparna Pal,&nbsp;Nandini Chitara,&nbsp;Rakesh Meena,&nbsp;Ankita Guleria,&nbsp;Akansha Rana,&nbsp;Ritika Verma,&nbsp;Kewal Krishan","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01911-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01911-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The science of fingerprints is very crucial in criminal investigation as it helps identify perpetrators or victims of a crime. Fingerprint ridge density (FPRD), which refers to the number of ridges within a specific area on the epidermal skin layer of the distal phalanges in humans, has been found to differ between males and females. This study attempts to estimate the sex from FPRD and evaluates the diversity in FPRD across several topological areas. The study involves 208 participants (120 males, 88 females) between the ages 18 to 25 years from a North-west Indian population. Fingerprints were collected, and FPRD was accessed in radial, ulnar, and proximal areas as recommended by Gutierrez-Redomero et al. (Forensic Sci Int 180(1):17–22, 2008). FPRD has been quantified using the techniques described by Acree (Forensic Sci Int 102(1):35–44, 1999). When evaluating FPRD in the lateral pocket loops and twin loops, the proximal-side core was considered. The study reveals that males have a mean fingerprint ridge density of 12.82 ridges/25 mm² while females have 13.01 ridges/25 mm². Females have higher fingerprint ridge density solely in the proximal area; males have higher fingerprint ridge density in both radial and ulnar areas. In conclusion, this research underscores the potential of fingerprint ridge density as a parameter for investigating population variations and individual identification. Future studies on fingerprint ridge density in India’s diverse population will help establish reference ranges, allowing for sex and likely population group estimation, making it a valuable tool for preliminary examinations and exclusion criteria for sex estimation in crime scene investigations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140614097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evidence for cryptic molting behavior in the trilobite Toxochasmops vormsiensis from the Upper Ordovician Katian Kõrgessaare Formation, Estonia","authors":"Russell D. C. Bicknell,&nbsp;Ernesto E. Vargas-Parra,&nbsp;Neil H. Landman,&nbsp;Helje Pärnaste","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01906-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01906-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Documentation of cryptic trilobite behavior has presented important insights into the paleoecology of this fully extinct arthropod group. One such example is the preservation of trilobites inside the remains of larger animals. To date, evidence for trilobites within cephalopods, gastropods, hyoliths, and other trilobites has been presented. Importantly, most of these interactions show trilobite molts, suggesting that trilobites used larger animals for protection during molting. To expand the record of molted trilobites within cephalopods, we present a unique case of a <i>Toxochasmops vormsiensis</i> trilobite within the body chamber of a <i>Gorbyoceras textumaraneum</i> nautiloid from the Upper Ordovician Kõrgessaare Formation of Estonia. By examining this material, we present new insights into the ecology of pterygometopid trilobites, highlighting how these forms used large cephalopods as areas to successfully molt.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-024-01906-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140591735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A hundred-year-old mystery—the reproductive mode and larval morphology of the enigmatic frog genus Allophryne (Amphibia; Anura; Allophrynidae)","authors":"Pedro Henrique dos Santos Dias,&nbsp;Jesse Delia,&nbsp;Carlos Taboada,&nbsp;Ronald Altig,&nbsp;Marco Rada","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01910-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01910-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Frogs of the Allophrynidae are an enigmatic family from South America. To date, published information is lacking regarding this group’s reproductive biology and larval morphology. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the reproductive mode, developmental mode, and tadpole morphology for <i>Allophryne ruthveni</i>. We developed a captive breeding and rearing protocol for this species and then conducted a series of observations to describe aspects of its reproductive biology. In captivity, this species exhibits aquatic oviposition, where single eggs are laid ungrouped within a simple jelly capsule and are scattered free in the water column before sinking to develop on benthic substrates. We did not observe parental care nor any parental interactions with eggs post-fertilization. Tadpoles are characterized by an oval body, anteroventral oral disc, a labial tooth row formula of 2(2)/3, and a dextral vent tube. The buccopharyngeal cavity is marked by the presence of two pairs of infralabial papilla and four lingual papillae. Cranial morphology is characterized by the presence of the commissura quadratoorbital. This species possesses an additional slip of the m. rectus cervicis and of the m. levator arcuum branchialium III. We discuss our results in comparison with glassfrogs (Centrolenidae).</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00114-024-01910-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140591633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The protective effects of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome against fevers in rats","authors":"Haslinda Mohd Salleh,&nbsp;Abdulwali Ablat,&nbsp;Soon-Lim Chong,&nbsp;Hazrina Hazni,&nbsp;Norsita Tohar,&nbsp;Nurulwahidah Fauzi,&nbsp;Habibah A. Wahab,&nbsp;Muhamad Aqmal Othman,&nbsp;Sook Yee Liew,&nbsp;Khalijah Awang","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01907-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01907-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The <i>Zingiber zerumbet</i> rhizomes are traditionally used to treat fever, and the in vitro inhibitory effect of ethyl acetate extract from <i>Zingiber zerumbet</i> rhizomes (EAEZZR) against DENV2 NS2B/NS3 (two non-structural proteins, NS2 and NS3 of dengue virus type 2) has been reported earlier. This study was carried out to establish an acute toxicity profile and evaluate the anti-fever (anti-pyretic) activities of EAEZZR in yeast-induced fever in rats. The major compound of EAEZZR, zerumbone, was isolated using chromatographic methods including column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC). Additionally, the structure of zerumbone was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography mass spectrometer-ion trap-time of flight (LCMS-IT-TOF), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. The toxicity of EAEZZR was evaluated using Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Test Guideline 425 (OECD tg-425) with minor modifications at concentrations EAEZZR of 2000 mg/kg, 3000 mg/kg, and 5000 mg/kg. Anti-fever effect was determined by yeast-induced fever (pyrexia) in rats. The acute toxicity study showed that EAEZZR is safe at the highest 5000 mg/kg body weight dose in Sprague Dawley rats. Rats treated with EAEZZR at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg exhibited a significant reduction in rectal temperature (<i>T</i>_<i>R</i>) in the first 1 h. EAEZZR at the lower dose of 125 mg/kg showed substantial potency against yeast-induced fever for up to 2 h compared to 0 h in controls. A significant reduction of <i>T</i>_<i>R</i> was observed in rats treated with standard drug aspirin in the third through fourth hours. Based on the present findings, ethyl acetate extract of <i>Zingiber zerumbet</i> rhizomes could be considered safe up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg, and the identification of active ingredients of <i>Zingiber zerumbet</i> rhizomes may allow their use in the treatment of fever with dengue virus infection.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140334277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of intraspecific seed trait variation on the germination of eight tropical dry forest species","authors":"Natalia Villa-Rivera,&nbsp;Jeiner Castellanos-Barliza,&nbsp;Ariadna Mondragón-Botero,&nbsp;Willinton Barranco-Pérez","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01898-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01898-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Functional traits can have intraspecific and interspecific variations essential in the structure and dynamics of natural communities. These traits may have implications in the germination and seedling establishment phases in seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of variations in mass, volume, and nutrient content (C, N, and P) on the germination of eight species representative of the tropical dry forest (TDF). Our results showed that seed size, both in terms of mass and volume, did not predict germination rates or percentages, nor were they related to nutrient content. In contrast, N content was the most important trait in the germination phase. Larger seeds did not germinate more or faster, but they could offer better resistance against desiccation, since they had higher <i>C</i>/<i>N</i> ratios in their tissues, a characteristic of orthodox seeds. The species <i>A. guachapele</i>, <i>B. arborea</i>, <i>H. crepitans</i>, and <i>V. tortuosa</i> presented a high biological potential in terms of their regeneration capacity, particularly, because the characteristics of their seeds, as well as the nutrient content, revealed consistent implications in their reproductive success, promoting high germination percentages in less time. In general, the results obtained in this study provide basic knowledge for future research, offering starting points for further exploration of species-specific adaptations and how they may be affected by the environment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10959815/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140189343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Larger particle size distribution of environmental RNA compared to environmental DNA: a case study targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene in zebrafish (Danio rerio) using experimental aquariums","authors":"Toshiaki S. Jo","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01904-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01904-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Environmental RNA (eRNA) analysis is conventionally expected to infer physiological information about organisms within their ecosystems, whereas environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis only infers their presence and abundance. Despite the promise of eRNA application, basic research on eRNA characteristics and dynamics is limited. The present study conducted aquarium experiments using zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) to estimate the particle size distribution (PSD) of eRNA in order to better understand the persistence state of eRNA particles. Rearing water samples were sequentially filtered using different pore-size filters, and the resulting size-fractioned mitochondrial cytochrome b (CytB) eDNA and eRNA data were modeled with the Weibull complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) to estimate the parameters characterizing the PSDs. It was revealed that the scale parameter (<i>α</i>) was significantly higher (i.e., the mean particle size was larger) for eRNA than eDNA, while the shape parameter (<i>β</i>) was not significantly different between them. This result supports the hypothesis that most eRNA particles are likely in a protected, intra-cellular state, which mitigates eRNA degradation in water. Moreover, these findings also imply the heterogeneous dispersion of eRNA relative to eDNA and suggest an efficient method of eRNA collection using a larger pore-size filter. Further studies on the characteristics and dynamics of eRNA particles should be pursued in the future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140167964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population declines of a widespread amphibian in agricultural landscapes","authors":"Matthias Renoirt,&nbsp;Frédéric Angelier,&nbsp;Marion Cheron,&nbsp;Laure Jabaud,&nbsp;Sabrina Tartu,&nbsp;François Brischoux","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01905-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01905-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Modern agricultural practices are suspected to play a major role in the ongoing erosion of biodiversity. In order to assess whether this biodiversity loss is linked to past habitat modifications (e.g. land consolidation) or to current consequences of modern agriculture (e.g. use of agrochemicals), it remains essential to monitor species that have persisted in agricultural landscapes to date. In this study, we assessed the presence, abundance and recent population trends of one such species, the spined toad (<i>Bufo spinosus</i>) along a gradient of habitats from preserved (forests) to highly agricultural sites in rural Western France. Our results showed that both presence and abundance of spined toads were markedly lower in reproductive ponds surrounded by intensive agriculture. The most salient result of our study is the ongoing decline of this species in farmland habitats. Indeed, this result suggests that unknown factors are currently affecting a widespread terrestrial amphibian previously thought to persist in agricultural landscapes. These factors have recently induced strong population declines over the course of a few years. Future investigations are required to identify these factors at a time when anthropogenic activities are currently leading to unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140157367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fungal heat shock proteins: molecular phylogenetic insights into the host takeover","authors":"João Pedro Nunes Sagini,&nbsp;Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun","doi":"10.1007/s00114-024-01903-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00114-024-01903-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Heat shock proteins are constitutively expressed chaperones induced by cellular stress, such as changes in temperature, pH, and osmolarity. These proteins, present in all organisms, are highly conserved and are recruited for the assembly of protein complexes, transport, and compartmentalization of molecules. In fungi, these proteins are related to their adaptation to the environment, their evolutionary success in acquiring new hosts, and regulation of virulence and resistance factors. These characteristics are interesting for assessment of the host adaptability and ecological transitions, given the emergence of infections by these microorganisms. Based on phylogenetic inferences, we compared the sequences of HSP9, HSP12, HSP30, HSP40, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP110 to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of different fungal organisms to suggest evolutionary patterns employing the maximum likelihood method. By the different reconstructions, our inference supports the hypothesis that these classes of proteins are associated with pathogenic gains against endothermic hosts, as well as adaptations for phytopathogenic fungi.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":794,"journal":{"name":"The Science of Nature","volume":"111 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140130470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}